Mother and son charged in drug overdose death

Carol Stedronsky, left, and her son Brian Stedronsky are charged with drug-induced homicide. Lake County Sheriff's Department photo (handout)

A mother and a son have been charged in the death of an Ingleside man, who died after using patches containing a strong pain killer that he had bought from them.

Authorities launched an investigation in September after the death of Jeffrey Ferris, 30, who had been dropped off by Brian Stedronsky and his aunt, police said. The two had dropped Ferris off about 1 a.m. on Sept. 18 after a night of partying, police said. It was not clear from police information if Ferris was dropped off at home or a hospital.

Brian Stedronsky told detectives he sold Ferris two patches containing fentanyl that he had purchased from his mother Carolyn Stedronsky. Ferris cut the patches open and sucked out the medication, police said.

Brian later admitted the patches were the second and third that he had sold Ferris, police said.

Carolyn Stedronsky told investigators she took the patches from her husband, who was prescribed the medication for an injury, police said.

The mother and son, both from Ingleside, were charged with a Class X felony of drug-induced homicide. The mother has been ordered held on $250,000 bail, the son on $300,000 bail, police said.

Brian and Carolyn Stedronsky are both being held at the Lake County Jail. Their next court dates are Dec. 11.